MONUMENT — Colorado high school football won't be back onto the field until the spring, but now there is a new fight to change that.
"Honestly, at first, it was disappointing," explained Palmer Ridge QB & CSU commit Luke McAllister.
It has been nearly a month since Luke and his fellow Bear teammates were told by CHSAA and the governor's office that their football season would be delayed.
"From the beginning, the governor has been saying 'you guys do your part, we will do our part and open things up," said Mark McAllister, Luke's father and the co-founder of LetCOPlay. "
The announcement has left players and parents frustrated with their decision - sparking a petition with over 13,000 signatures.
"It wasn't even acknowledged," explained Mark. "We are not even sure what happened with that. So what we are hoping to make is another effort to the governor and say, 'please just review this."
LetCOPlay is a new campaign sharing the faces and stories of football players throughout the state of Colorado whose opportunities to play college football are negatively impacted by the decision to postpone the season until Spring.
CO 2.80%!!! @JillHRyan @GovofCO #LetCOPlay https://t.co/cJgDrdc6wn
— LetCOPlay (@LetCOPlay1) September 6, 2020
"What we are trying to communicate is that we are aware of those risks and we are committed as players and families to do what is necessary to play," explained Helen McAllister, Luke's mother and the other co-founder of LetCOPlay.
And this new campaign isn't the only page speaking out. On Twitter, coaches and players from all around Southern Colorado have also asked the governed to reconsider.
Another State with higher numbers than Colorado reverses course on their previous decisions. It can be done! We want our kids to have the same opportunities as those in other states.#WeWantToPlay @jaredpolis @GovofCO @CHSAA https://t.co/B3sYsxpBV8
— Jake Novotny (@Coach_JNovotny) September 4, 2020
This is spot on. These kids have been tremendous in their efforts to do everything in their power to give themselves a chance to do something they love and do it safely. They just need an opportunity to keep doing things right. https://t.co/5aX2PccVhz
— Ryan Goddard (@CoachRGoddard) September 6, 2020
"If they canceled it or pushed it out in the fall, they are chances they will do that in the spring," added Mark. "Another element of this is the data is really positive right now and other states are doing it. We are really making a push, not for us, or not for Luke, but for the community and for the state and for the players all around the state that we know of."
According to an email from CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green, the plan for football in the spring still remains the same due to no change in the state guidelines.
LetCOPlay also plans to hold a peaceful protest on Friday, Sept. 11th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the County Commissioners office in Colorado Springs. Local players and coaches plan to speak and tell stories at the protest. The campaign is also hoping to have other rally's around the state on Friday as well.
